Northwest Scene.

Mt. Prospect Celebrates The Latino Culture

September 27, 1998|By Kelly Womer. Special to the Tribune.

With a blindfold firmly covering his eyes, 8-year-old Steve Alarcon stepped right up and took his best whack at the pinata dangling from the ceiling. He was after only one thing. "I like the candy," said Steve, who lives in Mt. Prospect.

He knew it wouldn't be a party without a pinata. And for the Mt. Prospect Public Library, it wouldn't be a celebration of the Hispanic culture without this traditional game. To kick off its Celebrate Latino Heritage month, the library hosted a workshop and party where 30 children and teenagers learned how to make their own pinatas.

"It's important to share Mexican customs and be able to express your culture," said Juan Ochoa of Chicago, who taught the pinata workshop. "Hopefully, they'll learn how to make a pinata and have some fun too."

Ochoa recounted the history of the pinata, which originated in Italy and was made from clay pots. Spanish conquistadors then brought the tradition with them to the United States and Mexico, where the pinatas were made in a variety of shapes and styles and filled with candy, fruits and peanuts. Today, the most popular design is the star.

In the 1950s, the supply of clay pots couldn't meet the demand for pinatas in America. So pinatas were made out of papier-mache--the most popular method Ochoa showed participants. "I wanted to learn how to make pinatas for parties," said Paula Alarcon, 13, Steve's sister.

After making their own pinatas, the children got a chance to break one and scoop up the candy that fell to the ground. "We want to help them be culturally aware of other groups, so that we're not just tuned in to English-speaking people," said Melanie Haug, the reference librarian for adult services.

Each year, the library focuses on a different culture and designs a series of programs for children and adults. Celebrate Latino Heritage continues through Oct. 15 with a variety of other events held at the library. Other events include a craft party, 4:15-5:15 p.m. Tuesday; "The Influence of Latino Culture in the U.S." seminar, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday; create-a-craft workshop, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday; bilingual storyteller, 11 a.m. Saturday; traditional music of Latin America, 2 p.m. Oct. 4; "The Images and Words of Carlos Cortez" exhibit, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6.